Lipkin, a 2006 Vanden High School graduate, got his first home start in his second stint with the Sacramento River Cats on Wednesday night against Omaha.

The spot in the Class AAA lineup just minutes from his home was a huge step in a tumultuous spring for the 26-year-old catcher.

"It's awesome," Lipkin said. "I'm living in Vacaville. I can go to Gold's gym in the morning, then hop on (Interstate) 80 and be at the park in 25 minutes. I almost retired going into this year, but I'm glad I didn't."

Lipkin, who has been in professional baseball since being selected by the Oakland A's in the 24th round of the 2010 Amateur Draft, was in Stockton on a rehabilitation assignment with the Class A Ports when the A's called up catcher Stephen Vogt from Sacramento to fill a roster spot created when Josh Reddick went on the 15-day disabled list.

Lipkin took Vogt's spot with the River Cats.

"I was just a quick drive away," he said. "They knew I had some Triple-A experience, and I was doing pretty well in High-A. So they called me up."

Lipkin started on June 2 at Fresno and on June 8 at Salt Lake City before Wednesday's home start.

The ex-Viking and former University of San Francisco standout had been in Sacramento briefly in 2012. But he has spent the bulk of the last three seasons in Class AA Midland, Texas.

Injuries limited Lipkin to a career-low 18 games in 2013, all with Midland.

He was set to play in AA again this season, but suffered strained knee ligaments on a play at the plate in his first game of the season with the Rockhounds on April 5 against Arkansas.

"I think with the new rule (against blocking the plate) there was a little doubt and a little hesitation for everyone," he said. "It was a short throw, and as I stepped back with my left foot, my back cleat caught on the edge of the plate. When I swung around to make the tag, my leg stayed put.

"I thought I tore something, and I was pretty scared. I thought, 'This could be my last game ever,' and I wasn't going to go out that way. So I played the rest of the game. I went 0-for-3 with a walk, but I threw out two runners. Throwing was a lot more painful than hitting."

The injury wasn't as bad as Lipkin originally thought. He went back to the A's spring training complex in Phoenix to heal, and then began a rehab assignment in Stockton on May 11.

"I thought, 'I put all this work in,' and I had it in my mind that I was going to play this year," he said. "I had to battle it out and get back on the field."

Lipkin did just fine in Stockton, batting .440 in seven games. He went 11-for-25 with two doubles, four RBI and two runs scored.

"In retrospect, one of the coolest aspects of being back at High-A was seeing how far I've come. In a way, it was fun to go back there," he admitted. "Defensively, it wasn't much different. My defense has always been the strongest part of my game. But now I know what pitchers are trying to do. If I guy goes 2-0 on you in A ball, you know where the next pitch is coming. In Triple-A, it's harder to sit on anything. Pitchers can get you out with three or four pitches."

Lipkin is 2-for-12 thus far with the River Cats. On Wednesday, he went 1-for-4, picked off one runner and threw out another as part of a double play. He expects to play every third or fourth night, behind starting catcher Ryan Ortiz.

Lipkin doesn't know what he'll do after this season. His future plans may depend on his play over the next few months.

"I know I want to be firefighter," he said. "The injuries I've had the last two years have made me think more about it (life after baseball). But I know I wasn't ready to walk away just yet. Now I just want to enjoy it as long as I can."